Dr. E'theal Lewis, Sr.

Dr. E’theal Lewis, Sr. was born in Simonton, Texas on August 9, 1935 to James Lewis and Lena Harris Lewis, the oldest of their three children.. His mother became too ill for the rural life, so his father sought work at Ellington Air Force Base, Brown Shipyard, and the Rice Mill in Houston, Texas. Landing a job with the Stevedores at City Dock, his dad was able to move his family (all except his sister, Helen) to Houston, Texas in 1940. His sister joined them a year later. He accepted Christ at an early age. He went through the Christian conversion process in Simonton, Texas under guidance of his grandfather, Pastor Ruben "Sonny" Lewis of St. Paul Baptist Church in Simonton, but was baptized in Houston, Texas at New Pleasant Green Baptist Church by his pastor, the late Rev. B. T. Stewart in Fourth Ward. He came out of the water preaching. A dutiful church member, E'theal sang in the youth choir and would always have a leading role in the church dramas. He "often did dramatic interpretations from God's Trombones", by James Weldon Johnson.  The family lived across the hall from Missionary and Christian author, the late, Ms. Estella Glenn whom he admired dearly. He loved reciting poems and doctrines from her Vacation Bible School literature, and would star in her dramas every summer during Vacation Bible School (VBS). He was reigning VBS Bible Drill Champion. Much of his preaching style was modeled after her dynamic orations. Throughout the years, he was one of her prize scholars. Started at the age of 9 years, he worked by mowing lawns with his push mower at 5:00 am before school. At 11 years old, he was employed by Mike Catiaer at the local grocery store. Later, in his teens, he worked at Best Tailor's in Downtown Houston. Dr. Lewis attended Gregory Elementary School. One of the most popular boys at school, E'theal attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in the Fourth Ward where he was lauded as one of Houston's best basketball players. He was a good student, but his passion was basketball where he was lauded as one of the best players by the local newspaper. He and his teammates became Booker T. Washington’s Basketball Team Champions.  He graduated in the Class of 1954.   Upon graduation from high school, he wanted to attend medical school, but the aunt who promised to finance his education died suddenly. He settled for Texas Southern University where he studied Pharmacy and Political Science.  He was accepted by Dr. Thomas F. Freeman as a member of the famous Texas Southern University Forensic Dialectical Symposium (Debate Team). His ambition and drive marked him as a leader everywhere he went. When the Debate Team needed a Captain, he nominated himself and won. While working at Lambert Paints, E'theal was dissatisfied with the working conditions and led the fight to unionize the company. He and another worker, Otis "O.V." Johnson organized the workers but lost the vote to unionize. They were fired. On October 19, 1957, he married Morell Marie Johnson, sister of his friend, Otis. To this union were born four children: E’theal, Jr., Ronald Craig, Jerome Curtis, and Sabrina Y’ves Lewis. E'theal sought work on the waterfront with his dad. His leadership skills helped him to become Vice President of the Board for International Longshoremen's Local 1331. After 4 to 5 years in the position, he was instrumental in helping to establish a Pension System for the members, and was also appointed to the Board of the International Longshoremen. He was unsuccessful in his bid for the President's position of Local 1331 and left the waterfront to enter the ministry.  In addition, He went full-time with his Bookkeeping business (Kashmere Bookkeeping Service), but his health began to fail. In 1974, he became Pastor of First Faith Baptist Church, and enrolled in Bishop College/ Union Bible College & Seminary where he earned his B.Th., MTh, M Rel Ed. Later, he received his Doctorate of Divinity from Guadalupe College. He coined many phrases that his followers repeat today: "A head full of sense, and a heart full of hate, is a dangerous combination."  "You can't be big when little gotcha you." On July 10, 2017, Dr. E’theal Lewis, Sr. went home to join his father and mother, Rev. James and Lena Lewis, his former wife, Morell Johnson Lewis, his first son, and E’theal Lewis, Jr. Dr. Lewis leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Ronald (Georgetta), Jerome, and Sabrina (Kelvin). His sister, Helen Lewis Johnson and brother, James N. Lewis. His close friend who took care of him from 2010-2017, Ms. Roma Lewis. His grandchildren: Sharonda Joy Thomas, Etashma Carter, Tyrone Lewis, E’theal Lewis, III (Bubba), Jayce Lewis (Jennifer), Kenneth Smith (Shineka Kindred), Keith Douglas Washington, Jr. Ashley R. Jones and Chaz Lewis.  His grandchildren: Jayla Lewis, Jayclyn Lewis and Greyson James Welch. A host of cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.